I have a BRNO Hornet and am very pleased with it, I think. I reload and have no difficulty in getting sub MOA accuracy out to 100 yards and out to 200 I always hit what I am aiming at. I cannot though shoot anything better than a 45 gr round, and I would like to.

Now I know that with a 223 that I can load to reproduce a Hornet round, or even a 22mag I was told. I know that I can shoot heavier loads and I know that I can improve on the distance.

What I don't know is by how much I can improve on the distance, and would I be doing the right thing in trading my Hornet for a 223.

Having just re-read this and providing the 22 mag bit is correct would it be sensible to keep the Hornet and trade my 22 Magnum. Having all three is not an option for me.

Gentlemen your opinion's please.

John

Do you need more range than your Hornet provides? If so, and if longer-range capability is important, then yes, you may wish to trade for a .223.

While theoretically you can load a .223 to Hornet levels, it may or may not be practical to do so and still obtain good accuracy, and if you plan on using a variety of loads in a .223, then you will also be constantly adjusting for a variety of sight settings.

Your Brno is a wonderful little gun. I would only trade it off if I were truly in need of more power.

Some folks use .223 for the 1,000 yard competitions....Varmit loads should be good for 350 yards or so. Beyond that, you may want to move up to .22-250 or .220 Swift. I watched a buddy nail a Rock Chuck with about 2 sq. inches of body showing at a laser-ranged 279 yards with his Swift.

Hold onto that Hornet. You know it makes sence.

Ok, yeah, that's the ticket, you NEED a bullet heavier than 45 gr. Going to hunt coyotes, right. Those are big and mean and have sharp teeth. OOOOOOOOOOOOOO, better get that .223 to handle them out to 300 yards. Don't want to let them get too close. That puny little bullet from that wimpy .22 Hornet just won't cut it.

Admit it, you're just trying to rationalize another gun. My wife just sits there and rolls her eyes. So, I go get what I want when I can.
This is what you want, get it.

BRNO's are a little hard to come by. I think that the Hornet would do in place of the 22mg. Handloading, the Hornet is as cheap or cheaper than rimfires. Trade to 22mg on a 223 and keep the Hornet.

Jayb..The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence..or so they say. I quite understand the desire for a new playtoy..errr..rifle I mean. However..my advice would be to keep your Hornet. A rifle that good will be deeply missed if sent away.

While I am not sure what the rifles are for I suggest you sell the 22 Mag as the Hornet can easily be loaded down to that level.

Buy a 243 and use that for varmints and game too!

John:

I really don't see a need for a Hornet at all....
except in a neat little rifle like the Brno or CZ. I'd keep that little cutie close by me.

Unless you have a limit on the number of rifles you can own in Scotland, I would just keep the 22 mag and the Hornet and get a 223 also.

I can tell you, whatever you get rid of to buy a 223, you will end up missing it and regretting it, even if you love the 223.

Those Brno and CZ Hornets are just a class act in my opinion. Like asking " if I should get rid of my 1960 Porsche 356 B, so I can buy myself a new Vauxhall?" ( if they still make those things over there.)

Thanks to all of you,

I think I had already decided but thought it would not hurt to ask.

I am going to keep the Hornet, I do like that little beast. I am going to keep the 22 mag, I think it is very under-rated, and as and when I feel the need for a heavier round I shall use my 243.

All that leaves now is the question of the 6.5 X 55. Decision's, decision's decision's........

John

If you are going to move to something else then the Hornet you should take a look at the .222 Remington it is one of the most accurate cartridges in the World. Easy to load for and fun to shoot. Good Luck

JAYB,

Hell, boy, you never said anything about having a .243!

Anyhow, load your .243 up with Nosler 55's, about 43.5g of H4895 and you'll be pushing 4000fps. If you can't reach it with that load, you probably can't reach it -Rod-

I have both.
I have a .223 Remmington ULTRA-LITE and a .22 Hornet in a standard barrel. I wish I didn't have the ultra-lite. Because the 223 has a very thin barrel and is extremely temperature sensative, I have had to drop the load doown to 21.5 grains of W-748. That gives me about 2600 fps. Hay,
that's .22 Hornet Velocity.
The Hornet is good for 150 [maybe 200] yards. While the .223 is good out to 300 yards. It all depends on what distance[s] you plan to shoot.

I'm with reload on this one, take a real good look at the 222. I've got two of them and I keep up with the 223 boys all day long. Very accurate and easy to load for.

Genlemen,

Thank you all for your observations, I knew I could rely on an informed set of responses. In truth I think I have talked myself round to keeping my Hornet. It's good for 200 yard foxes and after that it is down to the 243. I have been after deer just lately so the 223 itch has sort of subsided and I do not think that it shall return.

Once again, thank you one and all

John

The Hornet is cheaper to shoot if that makes a difference. If the median range of your shots is around 100-150yds. it'll do the job. The Hornet is especially attractive if you are shooting in a fairly populated area. The noise won't wake the dead, or cause too much dismay around livestock.
If you're shooting longer distances and noise is not a factor I'd go with a .22-250Rem. or possibly a .223. There are a lot of choices out there. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Both

A sweat shooting hornet, which you have, is something to hold on to. I also think the hornet will do 80-90% of what you'd be using a 223 for, and do it more quietly, and less exspensively.